OBP/Points Leagues Draft Targets (2023 Fantasy Baseball)

One of the beautiful things about fantasy baseball is all the different formats that can be played. For example, many people play Rotisserie leagues, while others play Head-to-Head (H2H) leagues. There can be standard formats for these leagues that include batting average, or there can be leagues that use on-base percentage (OBP) instead of batting average. Some leagues use points that usually factor in OBP players in a more critical role instead of using select hitting and pitching categories. All the options allow fantasy players to play the format they enjoy the most.

When looking at most of the fantasy content that is produced, most is directed toward the standard format. There are only a few articles directed at OBP and points formats. Let’s change that here. We will dive into a handful of players that are even better in OBP/points formats. Players that walk a lot will stand out in these leagues and should go even earlier in drafts. I will mention with OBP/points leagues that more players will become relevant in the player pool. With all that said, let’s look at six players that stand out even more in OBP/points formats:

Christian Yelich (MIL – OF)

Yelich was once a highly-heralded draft pick in all formats after his 2018 and 2019 seasons, where he was a power and speed machine. But, unfortunately, the power and speed have decreased to more of a 15/15 talent, which is good but not elite. But, one thing Yelich continues to do is walk and get on base.

Yelich has walked at least 13% of the time in the last four seasons, which has helped him earn an OBP of .355 or better. An OBP above .340 is above average, which Yelich definitely provides. His excellent OBP skills will provide enough power and speed, making him more touted in OBP/points formats.

Brandon Nimmo (NYM – OF)

Nimmo is coming off a 2022 season where he played in 151 games, the most in his career, and provided a solid season with 16 home runs and a .273 batting average. It was only the second time Nimmo had played at least 140 games, which is a problem, but he proved his fantasy value if he can stay healthy.

Regardless of health, Nimmo does one thing exceptionally well, which is get on base. He has walked at least 10% of the time in six straight seasons, with a walk rate of over 14% in five seasons. In addition, he has had an OBP above .367 in each of the six seasons and has had an OBP over .400, which is elite, in three seasons. Due to his health, Nimmo is a fringy outfielder in standard formats, but his OBP skills are unavoidable in OBP/points leagues.

Yandy Diaz (TB – 1B, 3B)

Most wish Yandy would supply more power or fantasy appeal in standard formats. Who knows if that will ever happen, but Yandy provides excellent OBP skills every year. He has walked at least 10% of the time in four straight seasons. He has an OBP of over .340 in all six professional seasons. Yandy should hit near the top of the Rays’ lineup and play nearly daily while providing an above-average OBP. I am not interested in Yandy in standard formats, but he is high on my CI radar in OBP/points leagues.

Masataka Yoshida (BOS – OF)

Yoshida was the highly-heralded 2023 signing from Japan. He brings excellent four-category skills to a standard format but may be even more valuable in OBP/points leagues. Throughout his seven-year career in Japan, Yoshida has a career OBP of .419. That is ELITE. He brings 20+ home-run power while stealing a few bases and hitting over .300. Cross out that elite batting average for an elite OBP skill set, and he should skyrocket up draft boards.

Max Muncy (LAD – 2B, 3B)

Muncy brings great power and strong counting stats to a fantasy team, but his batting average could be more desirable. He has hit .252 or less in the last four seasons, with two seasons hitting below .200. Even with the poor batting average, Muncy still walked at excellent levels with a 14% walk rate or better in six straight seasons. Over those six seasons, Muncy has an OBP of .300 or better, with three seasons above .368. Do not sleep on Muncy in OBP leagues, especially at the shallow 3B position.

Josh Bell (CLE – 1B)

Bell provides some excellent power and counting stats like Muncy, but his batting average fluctuates quite a bit. Regardless of batting average, Bell has walked at least 10% of the time in 6-of-7 seasons. The ability to walk at a great rate has given Bell an OBP of .334 or better in those six seasons. He should hit for more power in Cleveland this season while still walking plenty, making Bell one of the better mid-round 1B targets in OBP/points leagues.